I understand that removing the linked file will delete it essentially, but was wondering what unloading it will do. we have a structural model in our revit architecture model [2011 version], and our file size is pretty big right now [225mb], and i've been having memory issues. It has caused several crashes and lost work, what with revit telling me my file was "no longer compatible with the central file" and i'd have to get a new one because it can't reconcile the differences or whatever. That message comes up when i'm trying to save to central. i was thinking maybe this could help free up some memory?

Unloading a link only removes that information from the project temporarily.

We only link other files in their own worksets. By doing that, you have the option of using reduced worksets when opening a large file. In essence, if you don't load a workset that has a linked file in it, you don't load the link.

By using the above process while working in Revit 2008 on a 4gig, 32 bit machine, we were able to do a 230 meg architectural project which also had linked structural, site and mechanical files. Still a lot of juggling but it worked.

I think we just brought the revit structural model into our active workset, with no regard to putting it on a different one. when we get the newest updated structural model, we'll make a new workset and load it into that one correct?

So if we open the project, and don't load the workset with the linked model in, it'll use less memory, but will it show taht information or no?

You don't need to wait. Simply create the workset (make sure to set if you want it visible in all views) then click on the linked model and change its workset. Then when you get your new model, simply use the reload from option to pick up the new model.

DON'T REMOVE AND RELINK UPDATED MODELS NO MATTER WHAT THEIR NAME. Just use the reload from... and you can set the new path if need be.

Note: In addition to using a reduced workset load, you can unload / load worksets at any time while working.